WATCH: Sen. Grassley on FBI Director Patel’s use of private jet

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, responded to discussion about FBI Director Kash Patel's use of Justice Department jets Tuesday during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., had questioned Patel about various trips he had taken on a private jet and attend pro sports events.

Grassley later responded to this line of questioning, saying he believed former FBI Directors James Comey and Christopher Wray improperly used jets, but was stymied by Democratic senators when he wanted to question Wray in particular about it.

“I find it interesting that my Democratic colleagues seem to bring up your use of the Justice Department planes, yet my Democratic colleagues didn't seem too interested about my oversight of Wray’s use of the plane. I didn't hear a peep. so my Democratic colleagues need to be consistent,” Grassley said.

Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary hearing Tuesday. He has been under fire in recent days for social media posts he made about the Charlie Kirk shooting investigation and for dining out at an upscale Manhattan restaurant hours after the conservative activist was killed.

Last week, three former high-ranking FBI officials sued Patel, alleging they were fired in August as part of a “campaign of retribution” and that the director knew it was “likely illegal” to remove workers based on the cases they investigated.

Sign up for Here's The Deal with Lisa Desjardins

Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters

PBS News podcasts

Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app

Find more from PBS News at

Subscribe to our YouTube channel